The problem I have now is should I save $60 for a food/wine pairing at Epcot in case they have a good one or should I spend it to sign up to roll sushi with Masaharu Morimoto in NYC on Columbus Day weekend?

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I would definitely go with Morimoto. To be able to watch the "master" at work would be incredible! Plus, he has an amazing sense of humor and it should be a fantastic presentation!! Go for it!

I had to read it twice but I think the lists of chefs is from last year. They usually don't release names this early ... but we keep looking for clues.

Some 250 chefs including Disney chefs and guest chefs from across the country conducting culinary demonstrations and hosting elegant dinners and tasting events. Guest chefs who appeared last year included Tory McPhail of Commanders Palace, Rock Harper of Hells Kitchen, Robert Irvine from Food Networks Dinner Impossible, plus Jeff Henderson, Todd English, Warren Brown, Mary Meyers, Jamie Deen, Iron Chef Cat Cora and many other culinary stars. This years lineup currently is being booked.

Marianne Hunnel took Carey's place I'm pretty sure. I know Marianne has 'cheffed' all over the parks and I think her last place was Spoodles before she switched over to F&WF but ... does anyone know ... is she married to Scott Hunnel of V&A fame?

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Yes, Marianne is Chef Scott's wife, and V&A will be hosting their Signature Dinner near the end of Oct.

I'll add my thread covering last year's Bocuse d'Or Grand Gala to the mix. While there won't be another Bocuse competition this year (it is an every two years event), those planning to attend in 2010 might find this helpful. The Grand Gala review begins on page 3, with some FREE demo reviews and pictures on pages 1 & 2.

How very typical of me to show up again (after months away from the boards) now that the F&WF thread is finally open for posting.

Thanks for all of the advise -- sounds like F&W events are not much of a way to get a way by yourself for an evening.

We have eaten at a number of the signature restaurants in WDW and have enjoyed a great meal at all but Narcossee's. We would love to do V&A but thought it might be a bit expensive for us on this trip since we are planning to spoil our son, after all the purpose of this trip is to celebrate his adoption with our friends and family. Still, we wanted 1 evening to ourselves -- and were thinking F&W event but now I'm wondering if that is a good choice.

How would rate V&A to Citricos (another restaurant we have not been to) for price, food, experience? If it helps we do have the TiW card.

Thanks for your advice again, its good to hear from fellow foodies!

Kathie

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Victoria and Albert's is a MUST DO! You will create a memory to last a lifetime.

Starship was really good the times we've seen them. I loved, loved, loved, Night Ranger saw all 3 shows, and they were all different. I'm thrilled to see they added Richard Marx, John Waite, and Billy Ocean. I'm sorry I don't know Better than Ezra? What's their hit?

Yes, Marianne is Chef Scott's wife, and V&A will be hosting their Signature Dinner near the end of Oct.

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Thanks Michelle! I have tried every year to reserve the Signature Dinner at V&A and have never managed to get 'in'. Sometimes I wonder if Disney 'suits' don't get first dibs, probably not but I just wonder. I know the event is extremely popular and odds are we won't get it but it sure would be a treat to do it once!

Thanks Michelle! I have tried every year to reserve the Signature Dinner at V&A and have never managed to get 'in'. Sometimes I wonder if Disney 'suits' don't get first dibs, probably not but I just wonder. I know the event is extremely popular and odds are we won't get it but it sure would be a treat to do it once!

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We'd love to try it once too, but it seems like they always schedule it just before or right after our trip dates and we don't have any flexibility to move those dates around, unfortunately.

I'm sure we're going to just miss it again this year, so once again I will have to rely on my fine food-lovin' DIS friends to take lots of pictures and tell us all about it.

I'm seeing alot of posts about 'special' dinners during F&W. How does this impact the diners just wanting to have dinner at an Epcot restaurant and not especially participate in F&W? Can I make an ADR for an Epcot restaurant during F&W or would it be best to dine in another park or resort during F&W? Does Epcot close early during F&W? We've never been during F&W so, again I have no clue.

This will be my 5 or 6th food and wine. Last year my DH and I met Robert Irvine from Food network on one of the Buses going to the Board walk. He was so nice and didn't seem to mind us talking to him, he was even nice enough to have his body guard take a picture of us with him. He was very down to earth and really nice.
We went to his demo the next day and of course bought his cookbook and had him autograph it. It's sit in a special place in my kitchen.

This trip is a girls only. So it will be fun to check out some of the demo's that DH wasn't really into. And shop for some fun foodies things to take home.

Looking forward to G.M. Orange Slushies in France, and Sam Adams beer flight this I will do in honor of DH.

Has anyone heard how many countries will be represented this year, and what is the theme?. Last year it was Tables in Wonderland.

I agree just meeting Morimoto would be awesome. Why can't he come to Disney sometime?

I will post if I get the sushi rolling class (booking opens Monday) but maybe find somewhere else to do it because I don't want to hijack my own thread that I'm moderating.

Robert Irvine rode the buses? did he complain about the lines? He took his shirt off for photos at the Party for the Senses, hope he comes back. He's got to show up on one of my four weekends (although NY is going to ensure that I only do one PFTS)

I'm seeing alot of posts about 'special' dinners during F&W. How does this impact the diners just wanting to have dinner at an Epcot restaurant and not especially participate in F&W? Can I make an ADR for an Epcot restaurant during F&W or would it be best to dine in another park or resort during F&W? Does Epcot close early during F&W? We've never been during F&W so, again I have no clue.

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F&W has pretty much stopped having events in Disney restaurants during business hours, most likely for the reasons you just outlined. It should not make it more difficult for you to get ADRs.

Epcot does not close early because of F&W but be aware that Epcot currently closes at 8 PM on Fridays.

I agree just meeting Morimoto would be awesome. Why can't he come to Disney sometime?

I will post if I get the sushi rolling class (booking opens Monday) but maybe find somewhere else to do it because I don't want to hijack my own thread that I'm moderating.

Robert Irvine rode the buses? did he complain about the lines? He took his shirt off for photos at the Party for the Senses, hope he comes back. He's got to show up on one of my four weekends (although NY is going to ensure that I only do one PFTS)

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If he came to Disney they would charge even more outrageous prices and then none of us would be able to afford to see him.

You're more than welcome to post it on the bendy thread ... everyone there would love to hear about it. Or just start your own thread ... you're always doing really cool stuff ... I like reading about it for sure and I bet others do, too.

I'm seeing alot of posts about 'special' dinners during F&W. How does this impact the diners just wanting to have dinner at an Epcot restaurant and not especially participate in F&W? Can I make an ADR for an Epcot restaurant during F&W or would it be best to dine in another park or resort during F&W? Does Epcot close early during F&W? We've never been during F&W so, again I have no clue.

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As far as I know from previous F&W trips, there is litte if any impact on regular diners.

Some events are held in the 'Festival' building (AKA Wonders of Life), some are held in private dining rooms like the ones in Tutto Italia, with no impact on regular diners, Some are held at lunchtime in restaurants like Bistro de Paris, that are not otherwise open for lunch. Some are held in restaurants that do not have many regular diners at lunchtime like Marakesh. Some events are held in the Millenium Pavillion (a building reserved for special functions). Ther is unlikely to be much affect on availibility of ADRs on your trip. A very few restaurants, like V&A, will be holding special dinners one night during F&W and will sell out within 15 seconds of opening for bookings.

Don't forget that every person attending a F&W dinner or lunch, is one less person competing with you for an ADR that night.

Epcot does not close early because of F&W, although F&W is held during that part of the year when Epcot hours are cut back anyway.